The Blaa

Chorus
It’s where they ate the Blaa!
That’s where the Ma met the Da;
That’s where my heart will ever be,
By the Suir’s mighty flow that runs down to the sea,
The city that lives in my ‘blue and white heart’
The jewel of the Deise of which I’m a part.


The city, the river, are shining today
From the auld Apple Market right down to the quay,
And there’s ould Tosh Widger still chewing the cud
In a shop that’s half open and so very odd,
And on Barronstrand Street, and all through the square
The music is thrilling the shell of each ear;
I’ll go round to the Granville for muffin and tea,
It’s a place that has always a welcome for me.

Chorus
It’s the place where they ate the Blaa!
That’s where the Ma met the Da;
That’s where my heart will ever be,
By the Suir’s mighty flow that runs down to the sea:
Through the city that lives in my ‘blue and white heart’
The jewel of the Deise of which I’m a part.

I hear Cockle-sellers and sailors of old 
Who brought from Newfoundland the cod that was gold
To the city they loved, that place by the water
Where Strongbow came over to wed Dermo’s daughter.
Did they hold the ‘Do’ up in Reginald’s Tower?
Where you’d meet with Sean Maher or even Shem Power,
Who, for years, gave the Waterford Crystal its fame —
There’s lads cross the street, still at the same game.

Chorus
It’s the place where they ate the Blaa!
That’s where the Ma met the Da;
That’s where my heart will ever be,
By the Suir’s mighty flow that runs down to the sea:
Through the city that lives in my ‘blue and white heart’
The jewel of the Deise of which I’m a part.

If your joy is the crubbins, pig’s tails, or pig’s cheek,
You’ll get them on Michael’s Street, fresh, twice a week;
Though some love the tripe and the taste of drisheen —
And Joe’s Family Butchers have the best I have seen!
Though you might leave the city, if you work away —
For some have to travel to get the ould pay,
They can’t wait till Friday to go home to the Ma
For her drisheen and sausage and Waterford Blaa.

Chorus
In the place where they ate the Blaa!
That’s where the Ma met the Da;
That’s where my heart will ever be,
By the Suir’s mighty flow that runs down to the sea:
Through the city that lives in my ‘blue and white heart’
The jewel of the Deise of which I’m a part!
And now that they’ve opened old Doolan’s again —
A good place to meet up with stranger or friend
Just across from John Palmer’s where guitars are strumming,
There’s all kinds of music, but no room for the drumming.
Up to Ballybricken where you’ll get your chips
Where the salt and the vinegar sticks to your lips —
Where the Telecom men sent Paul Grant for the Blaa — 
Or a pint in the Tap Room with the Ma and the Da!

Chorus
In the place where they ate the Blaa!
That’s where the Ma met the Da;
That’s where my heart will ever be,
By the Suir’s mighty flow that runs down to the sea:
Through the city that lives in my ‘blue and white heart’
The jewel of the Deise of which I’m a part!

The Blaa

Australian actor Shane Withington was in Kilkenny city this week and has been sharing some snaps of local spots on his social media platforms - including Kilkenny Castle and Kyteler's Inn - the latter's JD Flynn's been telling KCLR News' Edwina Grace about the time spent on his premises ...  

KCLR News: Kilkenny city visit of Home and Away Star (12th June 2025)

We're Carlow & Kilkenny's number one radio station with over 81,000 adult listeners every week. Catch up in full online at kclr96fm.com.

New tracks tagged #john palmer